Pulse

From openings to landings, the Pulse is stress-free fun. It is a lightly-elliptical 9-cell canopy designed for novice to experienced fun jumpers. Pack volume has been reduced significantly by combining PD’s proprietary low- bulk fabric technology on the bottom skin and ribs with zero porosity fabric on the top skin. The Pulse offers soft, consistently on-heading openings with a shorter snivel. It has a very flat glide, short recovery arc, and easy landings. It is highly responsive, very capable, and lots of fun to fly!

Awesome new Pulse 210

After numerous discussions, I decided to go with a Pulse 210 at a wing loading of 1.1, after flying either Solo 230's, 210's or ZP Exe's in the same range. These were all rental's and I found myself happy under them all, unless it was a light/no-wind day then the flare would be non-existent.

My first opening with my new container was interesting to say the least - nice and gentle and then a sharp left turn. A gentle pull of the right rear riser straightened it out and I made sure a toggle hadn't come out. All I can think is that my body position on opening hadn't been great and I'd put myself into a nice hard harness turn. Checked a few flares and all seemed great nice forward speed and slow glide path. On landing, I flared like I was under one of the student/rental canopies - mistake. Flare was strong and the speed was certainly converting to lift. Held the flare for a nice easy stand up landing.

On my next few jumps the openings were all great and 100% on heading without a hassle. Snivel was in the 600ft range and better than the Solo. Nice, gentle and on heading. I got put out on a long spot and spent quite some worried about ever seeing the DZ, let alone making it back. Flew back in brakes and made it with plenty of room to spare.

My landings are still far from perfect on this canopy; but that's the pilot and not the canopy. I find myself either flaring to high, or just not hard enough. These were all in null wind conditions, and all but one was a stand up (one sliding in on my butt). I’m confident I’ll work out my glitches and find that ‘sweet spot’ soon enough.

I am also amazed at how small this packs compared to a full ZP 210. It looks simply tiny in comparison. I’d certainly recommend this to anyone who is a reasonably new jumper and looking for a docile but fun canopy (assuming the right wing loading). With this canopy, I also have the option to downsize to something like a Sabre2 170 and still keep the same container. I’m in no rush to downsize (I’m old and wise) and I can see myself flying this canopy for many years to come.

Pulse 170 130 jumps later

After 130 Jumps on this canopy, I feel i can give you a pretty solid review.

Ill keep this short and sweet.-The canopy Packs better than any canopy out there Period.-Openings are Soft and on heading. Probably the nicest openings of any canopy I have flown. 600-700 ft snivel on average.-Toggle input is nice and soft and the canopy turns about the same as the sabre 2. but with a far better glide. long spots are not a problem. - front risers are pretty stiff. Rear stalls are fun. give it a try. this canopy has great recovery.- FLARE.. Well.. there really isnt any.. sorry but its true.. Im loading it 1:1.1 and if there is a flare in this canopy I cant seem to find it. If you dont mind skidding in your landings then dont worry about it. Keep your speed up and you can run out the landings if you want.PD changed the brakes on the bigger Pulse canopies because of bad flare.. I think they should address this issue on all of them..If you wrap the toggles and bring it to the edge of stall you can feel the same flare as a sabre2. I dont like risking a stall so i dont do this.

The bottom line is that this canopy is awesome - PD Please fix the Brakes, and this canopy will dominate. Im still considering a new Pulse 150.